A 32-year-old nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, has died from the Sudan Ebola Virus. The health ministry confirmed on January 30 that this is the first reported case of the outbreak in the capital. Officials are now working to track potential contacts and prevent further spread of the virus.
The nurse initially experienced symptoms like fever, which later worsened. She suffered multi-organ failure and passed away on January 29. Health officials conducted tests at three national reference laboratories, which confirmed she had the Sudan Ebola Virus.
Currently, no other healthcare workers or patients in the same hospital ward have shown symptoms. However, health authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
The Ugandan health ministry has identified 44 people who were in contact with the deceased nurse. These individuals will be closely monitored for symptoms, and authorities are considering vaccinations to prevent further infections.
Rapid response teams have been deployed to control the outbreak. Uganda’s health officials are focusing on:
- Surveillance: Tracking people who had contact with the nurse.
- Vaccination: Using experimental vaccines for those exposed.
- Public Awareness: Educating people about Ebola symptoms and how to prevent its spread.
The Sudan Ebola Virus is one of six known strains of the Ebola virus. Unlike other types, there is no approved vaccine for this variant. During Uganda’s 2022 outbreak, three experimental vaccines were tested, but none were officially confirmed as effective.
Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. People only become contagious after symptoms appear, which can take 2 to 21 days.
Uganda has faced Ebola outbreaks before, including a deadly outbreak in 2022 that lasted four months and killed 55 people. The country shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola was first discovered in 1976. The DRC has experienced over a dozen outbreaks, including a severe one in 2020 that claimed 2,280 lives.
The deadliest Ebola epidemic occurred in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, killing over 11,300 people. Ebola is especially difficult to control in cities, where people live close together, increasing the risk of transmission.
Health authorities in Uganda are taking strict measures to contain the virus in Kampala. Their main steps include:
- Monitoring the 44 identified contacts.
- Strengthening infection control in hospitals.
- Increasing public health campaigns on Ebola prevention.
Officials are urging people to stay alert, report symptoms immediately, and follow health guidelines to prevent further spread.
As the situation develops, Uganda’s health ministry will continue updating the public on measures to control the outbreak and protect communities.
